Bud tames to tropical storm off Mexico's coast

MIAMI - Forecasters say the system that was once powerful Hurricane Bud has tamed to a tropical storm as it headed toward a string of laid-back beach resorts and small mountain villages on Mexico's Pacific coast.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., said that maximum sustained winds that were once blowing at 115 mph (185 kph) had slowed to 70 mph (113 kph) Friday night.

The government of Mexico has changed the hurricane warning for the coast of Mexico from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes to a tropical storm warning. Hurricane watches were also discontinued.

Forecasters say the storm will continue to weaken and the center will move over land late Friday or Saturday. Rainfall is expected to accumulate from 6 to 10 inches in many spots.